Learning To Love (The Griffin Brothers Book 4)

by Perkins, Crystal

“Deal. You didn’t answer my question, though.”

  “It’s because of Rose. I’m worried that they’ll put the pressure on her if I’m not around. I also worry that they’ll keep her from me. She needs her college money so she can go to Harvard. They control it until she’s 21.”

  “I could pay for her college, you know. And she could move in with us if things became hard for her.”

  “I love that you just offered that. Let me work up my courage, okay?”

  “You know I can’t deny you anything. I love you. And I was serious about all my offers.”

  “I know.”

  I mean what I say, but I also know I won’t be able to do this for months. I just can’t. I love her, but she needs to believe in herself. And in us. I’ll just have to convince her.

  Chapter 16

  Olivia

  These past two weeks have flown by. We got the house and picked up the keys yesterday. I’m waiting here for the first furniture delivery. We picked out some comfortable couches and a cool dining room set. The loft will be full of bookcases for me, but I told Luke we need to get them from IKEA because they have cheap ones. He tried to argue, but I stood firm. I did let him buy me a comfy chair, though. The second bedroom will have a desk for Luke, and whatever else he decides to put in there.

  The place I let him splurge was the bedroom. Our bed is totally sexy. It’s got a dark grey tufted headboard, and low footboard. We picked a super comfy mattress, and I can’t wait to try it out. He let me get the comforter I fell in love with. It’s got pink and purple flowers with a few other colors and looks like an Impressionist painting. I didn’t think it was an option, but Luke said he’s man enough to sleep on some flowers. God, I love him.

  We also have some cool grey dressers, and a vanity table, and chair for me in the bedroom. The closet is a walk-in and I love it. There’s plenty of room for both of us since I don’t have a ton of clothes. I’m putting a little lingerie dresser in there, though. Lingerie is something I have been buying a ton of lately. It makes me feel so powerful to wear sexy things for my husband and see his reactions.

  The doorbell breaks me out of my thoughts, and I go over to let the first workers in. Everything goes smoothly, and the furniture is placed and put together in a couple of hours. I have just enough time to make the bed and slip into something sexy before Luke gets here. I have a surprise for him. One I think he’ll like.

  “Ollie? Where are you?” he calls out as he enters the house.

  “I’m upstairs in the bedroom, Luke.”

  I hear him bound up the steps, and then he’s walking in the door. “The house looks great…” He stops when he sees me lying across the bed in my lace teddy. “Damn, honey.”

  “Welcome home. I have something to show you.”

  “I can see that.”

  “Something else,” I tell him with a laugh, as I get to my knees. I reach out my hand to show him.

  “Your license? Umm, I’ve seen it.”

  “You haven’t seen my new one.”

  “New one?” Realization hits him. “Did you change your name?”

  “I did.”

  He grabs the license from me and his face breaks into that deadly smile of his when he sees it. I’m officially Olivia Griffin now. “I’m going to make you come so hard, Mrs. Griffin.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  He grabs me and proceeds to make me come hard, several times, before we both need some dinner. We order Chinese food and put our clothes on to wait for the driver. We’re entwined around each other as we lounge on the couch. “I can’t wait to put up the pictures and things I found for in here,” I say as I look around the living room.

  “I can put up the pictures for you. I know you want to start studying for finals this weekend.”

  “I do. You’re so lucky that you don’t have any.”

  “I took extra classes and summer school so I wouldn’t have any. Not sure how lucky I was for those semesters.”

  “My genius husband.”

  “Not quite a genius, but I do okay.”

  I turn to look at him. “You’re more than okay, Luke. Don’t forget that.”

  “You always make me feel great, Ollie.”

  “That’s my plan.”

  He kisses me and we make out until the food arrives. When it gets here, we decide to eat around the coffee table like we always did at our separate places. It just feels right. I let him put on a baseball game while I work on homework. When he sees me yawning, Luke shuts off the game and picks me up. He carries me upstairs and we undress. Then we slip into our new bed and go to sleep, curled around each other.

  * * *

  Luke

  I’m taking Olivia to our first Friday barbeque at my parents’ house since we’ve been married. I’ve been going by myself the last few weeks, but I really wanted her with me. Even if I can’t tell them we’re married, I want my family to know we’re still together. The secret is wearing on me, especially when I see my mom, and I need something. Having them think she’s still my girlfriend will do for now.

  We walk in holding hands and I see my mom’s eyes light up. “Olivia! It’s so nice to see you.”

  “It’s nice to see you, too, Maggie.”

  The rest of my family greets us and then we sit down to eat. Everyone makes small talk and acts like it’s no big deal that I brought her, but I catch my brothers and parents watching us every so often. Especially after I kiss her, which happens frequently. Nothing crazy or inappropriate, just little kisses. I know I’m sending a big message, though. She was the first girl I’d ever brought to a barbeque night, and to have her here again means something. I’ve also never kissed a girl as sweetly as I kiss her in front of my family. I’ll admit that I’ve kissed some not so sweetly when we’ve had parties and stuff, and honestly, I’m a little embarrassed that my mom saw that. But it is what it is. I can’t change that. I can show them that this is different. And that’s what I’m doing.

  “How’s the studying going, Liv?”

  “It’s going, Candi. I’m pretty sure I’ll pass.”

  “Of course you’ll pass,” I assure her.

  “It’s crazy that you have finals and then graduation a couple days later,” Alex says.

  “I know. It’s scary.”

  “Maybe I’ll actually have this baby before then, and the three of us can come.”

  “Babe, her graduation is only like two weeks away. We can’t take the baby out that soon, even if you do have it next week.”

  “The blogs and stuff I’ve read say a week at home is good. I’m not missing graduation, and neither are you.” Candi’s glaring at him and it’s pretty funny.

  “Okay, okay. We’ll go.”

  “I know we will. We need to be there for Luke and Liv. Your brother’s graduating, too.”

  “Not at the same time, but I appreciate the support. I can’t wait to see my girl get her diploma.”

  “We’ll all be at both if you have tickets, Olivia,” my dad tells her.

  “I got extra because I was hoping you’d come,” she tells them a little shyly.

  “We’d love to, especially because it seems that you’re part of the family now,” my mom says.

  Olivia looks panicked, and I have to save her. “Don’t scare the poor girl, Mom.”

  “I’m not scared. Luke. Just happy that everyone would accept me.” I see it then. She’s about to cry, and not from sadness. With how rough her family is on her, Olivia’s grateful for mine and their acceptance.

  “Of course they accept you. I’ve never brought anyone to barbeque before. And now I’ve brought you twice. Everyone knows what that means to me, and also how incredibly awesome you are.”

  “I’m happy to have you in the family, Liv. You know that,” Alex tells her with a smile.

  “Thanks, Alex. For everything.”

  “I just had a thought. We’re throwing a graduation party for Luke. We should do a combined one with you, Olivia. I can call your mother and wo
rk it out.”

  “I appreciate it, Maggie, but, umm, my parents don’t know about Luke and me. They don’t, well, approve of him.”

  “Excuse me? They don’t approve of my son?”

  “You’ve gotta remember, Mom, that they’ve only seen me with girls at parties, and have heard that I have no ambition.”

  “I tried to tell them he’s different, but when he came to a dinner with me a few weeks ago, they practically threw him out.”

  “From what I can tell, your parents are pretty involved in your life. How long are you planning to keep this from them?” Yasmin asks.

  “Hopefully not long. I love Luke, and I hate having to hide that.”

  “Well, maybe we could still have a joint party. I’m planning one already with your mom for Alex and Rose so I could tell her this one would be a good idea, too.”

  “It’s up to Luke. It would be a little awkward since we couldn’t be together, but I’d love to celebrate together in any way.”

  I sigh before answering. “Let’s do it. It’s probably going to kill me not to kiss you or hold your hand, but we can always celebrate together after.”

  “Great. I’ll call your mother tomorrow and set it up.”

  The rest of the night goes by quickly. We eat, laugh, and just have fun with my family. Olivia fits in so well with them, and though it’s killing me not to be able to call her my wife, I’m just happy they love her, too. My mom sends us each home with some leftovers, and we accept them without telling her they’ll be going in the same fridge. I hope my wife can find that courage soon.

  * * *

  Olivia

  It’s a couple days later and things are still a little strained between Luke and me. He’s been beyond patient about everything, but I just can’t bring myself to tell my parents. I know it’s dumb. I’m dumb. I don’t need them financially, and they’re not really there for me emotionally, but for some reason, I just can’t cut the ties. I know that telling them about Luke being my husband would do that. They would disown me. I haven’t been given an ultimatum yet, but I feel it coming. We didn’t even make love last night.

  I’m sitting at the dining room table studying while Luke is watching another baseball game. He didn’t ask me to sit with him. He knows I need to study, but I don’t think that’s the reason. I’ve just gotten up the nerve to say something when his phone rings.

  “Hey Owe. What’s up?”

  “Now? Shit. I’ll be right there.”

  He gets up and heads to the door. “Luke?”

  My phone rings before he can answer. It’s Owen. He tells me Candi’s in labor and asks me to come down to the hospital as it’s getting close. I tell him I’ll be there. Then I turn to my husband.

  “You were just going to walk out and not tell me? Really?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.” He doesn’t look sorry, though.

  “Whatever. Be pissed at me all you want, but this is Candi. The person who saved me. From you as I recall.” I grab my purse and keys and head to the door myself.

  “You’re going there?” He blocks the door.

  “Yeah. Right now I am. Get out of my way.”

  “Fine. Be a bitch then. God knows I deserve it. I mean, I’m only lying to my whole family because you can’t grow a pair and stand up to yours.”

  I push past him before the tears start. I know he’s right, but damn if that didn’t hurt me. A lot. I get into my car and drive off before he’s even in his own car. I concentrate on calming down before I get to the hospital. I don’t want to be the focus there when it should be on Candi. We were both wrong tonight, and we’ll get past it. I hope.

  I park and walk inside, stopping at the desk to check in. They give me a pass and instructions on where to go. I sense Luke coming in as I’m finishing, but I ignore him and go to the elevators. I take one up and see the Griffins in the waiting room.

  “Liv, you’re here! Where’s Uncle Luke?”

  “I don’t know, Alex.”

  “You didn’t come together? I mean, I thought you’d be together.”

  “Not tonight.” I try to smile, but it’s hard. I can tell she wants to ask more, but I’m saved. Well, kind of.

  “You’re here, Uncle Luke.”

  “Of course I’m here. My godchild is about to be born.”

  He moves past me and engulfs her in a hug. I use the distraction to go sit next to Chloe. She looks at me curiously. “Is everything okay, Olivia?”

  “Yeah. I’m fine.” The tears are threatening, though, and I excuse myself, then practically run to the restroom.

  I make it inside and slide down the wall, openly crying now. I know one of the girls is probably going to come after me, but I just need to get it out. All of it. The pain of possibly losing Luke, the longing for my parents love, and the anger over knowing that I’ll probably have to choose one of them or the other. I love Luke so much, but how can I give up my family?

  I’m ugly crying, with my knees bent and my head buried in my arms, when I hear the door open. “Ollie, honey, don’t cry.”

  I didn’t expect Luke, and I snap my head up to look at him crouching in front of me. I say the first thing that comes to mind. “This is the ladies room.”

  “I know, and I’ll probably get kicked out any second now, but I had to make sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m not, but it’s my own fault. I did this to myself. To us.”

  “I agreed to it, and I shouldn’t have been an ass.”

  “I was an ass, too. I shouldn’t have said what I did.”

  “We both said things we shouldn’t have. I guess we’ve just had our first fight as a married couple. Do we get to go home and have make-up sex later?”

  “Definitely.”

  He pulls me to my feet and into his arms. We hold onto each other for a few minutes. I pull back to look at him. “I love you so much, Luke. I want you to know that.”

  “I do know it. You know how much I love you, right?”

  “Yes. I know.”

  “I should probably get out of here, but you’ll be alright?”

  “Yeah. I just need to wash up and then I’ll be out.”

  He kisses me on the top of my head and goes back into the waiting room. I splash some water on my face and then head out myself. I smile awkwardly at everyone before sitting next to Luke. He immediately reaches for my hand and brings it to his mouth, kissing my knuckles. I relax and lean my head on his shoulder.

  I don’t realize that I’ve fallen asleep until Luke gently shakes me. I open my eyes and turn to look at him. “Candi just had the baby. It’s a girl.”

  “Oh wow. Can we see her?”

  “In a few minutes. My parents are with them now, and then Yasmin and Scott are going in. We’re after them.”

  “Being married to the godfather has some perks.”

  He laughs. “That and the fact that we both have to be up early tomorrow.”

  We wait about ten minutes, and then we’re told it’s our turn. We walk down the hall and into the hospital room. Candi’s lying there looking tired but as beautiful as ever. Owen is sitting on the bed next to her holding the baby. We walk over and my breath catches. She’s beautiful, and when she opens her eyes, they’re the Griffin green.

  “Meet Hope Margaret.”

  Luke’s eyes are glistening a little as Owen hands him his daughter. “She’s so perfect, Owe.”

  “Why are you telling him? I’m the one who gave birth.”

  Luke leans over and kisses her on the cheek. “I know, Candi. She’s as beautiful as you.”

  I let little Hope grab my pinkie and play with it. “You’re going to need a shotgun, Owen. With Candi’s beauty and your eyes, boys are going to be lined up at your house.”

  “They can line up all they want. My girl will just send them away.”

  “Sure she will. We’re her parents and you think she won’t be a little wild?”

  “I’m hoping now that we’re settled down she won’t know any of that.”<
br />
  “We’ll be more settled soon.”

  I look over to Candi. “Does this mean you’re getting married soon?”

  She looks sheepishly at Owen. “I suck at secrets.”

  “Yeah, you do. But I love you, so it’s all good.” He looks to me and Luke then. “We’re getting married in a month. We wanted to wait for your graduations and then Alex’s so we didn’t interfere with anyone else’s spotlight.”

  “You know I don’t care about that. You could get married on my graduation day, bro, and I’d be so fucking happy. I love the two of you.”

  “We love you, too, Luke. I’m so glad we’ve become close. You’re one of my best friends. It’s actually all because of you, Liv.”

  “Me? You mean because I put myself in a dangerous situation and had to call for help?”

  “You didn’t put yourself there. The idiots I was hanging out with put you there, and so did I. I can only say that while I’m sorry, I can’t regret meeting you.”

  “Enough about that night. You know Ryan and Chloe are going to be wanting to come in soon, so let’s just look at this beautiful girl.”

  We ooh and ahh over Hope for a few more minutes, and then Luke hands her back to Owen so we can let the others in. I hug Candi and kiss Owen on the cheek before we go. Chloe and Ryan are right outside the door when we open it, and we say goodbye to them before going back to the waiting room to see everyone else. After we hug and kiss everyone, we ride the elevator down together.

  “I’ll see you at home where I’m going to make love to you so sweetly you’ll forget we ever fought,” Luke whispers to me after walking me to my car.

  I shiver and then kiss him hard. “I’ll be waiting.”

  “Not for long.”

  I drive home and barely have time to put my rings on—Luke likes it when I wear them while we’re making love—before he’s in the door and heading for me. He picks me up and carries me upstairs to our bed. We undress ourselves because it’s faster and then he’s on me. Two hours later, we’re both so tired that we fall asleep on the floor because that’s where we were the last time he made me come.

  Chapter 17

  Olivia

  It’s graduation day and I’m both excited and nervous. I did manage to pass all my classes, and while I’m happy to be graduating, I wish I could openly share this with Luke. I’ve felt like maybe the party tonight wasn’t such a good idea, but it was too late to back out. I hope we can hide our feelings and just get through it.